The Free Capitalist
Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:07 pm
Since I have moved here to Utah I have noticed billboards advertising a radio program for "The Free Capitalist." For the uninformed, this is Claud "Rick" Koerber, who calls himself a "capitalist Mormon."
From his website, we learn that Mr. Koerber "graduated with an Associates of Arts degree from Casper College and pursued [his] bachelors in Public Policy and Religious Area Studies at the University of Denver." That says to me that he "pursued" but never finished, meaning he's a college drop-out.
But not to worry. He's on the level. "My driving motivation is my love of freedom and liberty." Yep, a Mormon patriot struck from the Ezra Taft Benson/Cleon Skousen mold. And what motivated this deep love of individual liberty? "Following personal liquidation bankruptcy in 2000, I decided I wanted nothing to do with business. Surprisingly, during my break from the business world I started studying American history. It was while studying the lives of America’s Founding Fathers that I discovered what I now refer to as Prosperity Prime and the ancient “Principles of Prosperity”."
So not only is he a patriot, but he's figured out how patriotism can make you rich! And he's a righteous Mormon. What more could you ask for than a bankrupt drop-out? He belongs to my church, and he's rich. Whatever he's selling, I'm in!
Sadly, Rick's bankrupcy-to-riches story has an unhappy ending. Rick, it seems, has been running a Ponzi scheme. The scheme was actually pretty simple, combining the growth potential of multilevel marketing with the return on investment of a Ponzi scheme.
Of course, the man really needed the money for cars (over $1 million) and for making movies ($5 million).
Rick, of course, sees himself as a victim of the "cultural war" being waged by "socialists" against patriots and small-business owners. In a long (and mean really long) and rambling post under the heading "Schmucks," Koerber alternates between a victimized self-pity and Saintly high dudgeon. Here's a sample:
I frankly am stunned that the government would dare go after someone with such amazing communication skills. The man's unparalleled grasp of the English language speaks well of a graduate of Casper (Wyoming) College.
This guy is a prime example of the "users" in the church. Very sad.
From his website, we learn that Mr. Koerber "graduated with an Associates of Arts degree from Casper College and pursued [his] bachelors in Public Policy and Religious Area Studies at the University of Denver." That says to me that he "pursued" but never finished, meaning he's a college drop-out.
But not to worry. He's on the level. "My driving motivation is my love of freedom and liberty." Yep, a Mormon patriot struck from the Ezra Taft Benson/Cleon Skousen mold. And what motivated this deep love of individual liberty? "Following personal liquidation bankruptcy in 2000, I decided I wanted nothing to do with business. Surprisingly, during my break from the business world I started studying American history. It was while studying the lives of America’s Founding Fathers that I discovered what I now refer to as Prosperity Prime and the ancient “Principles of Prosperity”."
So not only is he a patriot, but he's figured out how patriotism can make you rich! And he's a righteous Mormon. What more could you ask for than a bankrupt drop-out? He belongs to my church, and he's rich. Whatever he's selling, I'm in!
Sadly, Rick's bankrupcy-to-riches story has an unhappy ending. Rick, it seems, has been running a Ponzi scheme. The scheme was actually pretty simple, combining the growth potential of multilevel marketing with the return on investment of a Ponzi scheme.
As part of his seminar, Koerber encouraged first line investors, who would receive 5 percent per month, "to act and think like a bank" that is, obtain money from other people to place with Founders Capital. The first line investors would then pay 3 percent per month to second line investors, who in turn, would pay 1 percent per month to third line investors, the indictment said.
Of course, the man really needed the money for cars (over $1 million) and for making movies ($5 million).
Rick, of course, sees himself as a victim of the "cultural war" being waged by "socialists" against patriots and small-business owners. In a long (and mean really long) and rambling post under the heading "Schmucks," Koerber alternates between a victimized self-pity and Saintly high dudgeon. Here's a sample:
I’m sure the slobbery thickness of brain-off emotionalism will continue to bring more people to my door in the future asking about some supposed, pretended, or actual indictment–or maybe even worse. But, in the mean time, me and those who stand with me (including the consistently growing numbers of those who will be standing with me tomorrow and the next day, and the days after that), we will keep producing, educating, and organizing. And, when we can squeeze it in (and I’m pretty sure it’s something we’ll not soon forget), we’ll also do what we can to make sure the complicit schmuck’s (including those in the media, the legal profession, and in key government positions) who keep overstepping their bounds, to the detriment of innocent and free citizens, are also made to face the legal consequences of their own wrongdoing. I doubt that they’re any more anxious to face a just tribunal than have been any of history’s well known tyrants and their dimwitted, brain off accomplices.
I frankly am stunned that the government would dare go after someone with such amazing communication skills. The man's unparalleled grasp of the English language speaks well of a graduate of Casper (Wyoming) College.
This guy is a prime example of the "users" in the church. Very sad.
